Sometimes we are unable to move, decide, and know where to turn or to go. We find ourselves stuck in neutral, overwhelmed by the challenges we confront or the distance to be covered. We may be looking up, back, or away from it, avoiding further decisions until we see a sign, a clue, or a message. Rev Jason Butterick shares what is needed to move from neutral: to follow Jesus and to be a witness to what he shared as the kingdom of God. Being a witness does not necessarily mean extraordinary challenges or exotic destinations. Sometimes the best journey begins with one step from looking up, back, or away, and following the one who guides and sends us. He has ascended to glory, but he has provided a guide and power to confront the world with the kingdom of God. It is coming, and you are called as a witness. Will you share where you have seen, felt, or experienced Jesus, just where you live?

We often are overwhelmed by the number of decisions we must make. Some cannot decide on lunch on a consistent basis. We struggle with not only what to do, but when to do it. Is now the right time, or later? We desire a straightforward and plain answer. Direct, doubtless, and confirmed. The answer we want may be in front of us, but we are unable to see or hear it. Maybe if we shift the perspective, and change what we hear, we can see and hear differently, beyond our confusion. We can get unstuck from our confusion if we are willing to see and hear our shepherd. It may not be what we thought we were looking for, but it will lead us from our confusion.

Pastor Jason Butterick shares the third and final appearance of the resurrected Jesus recorded in the gospel of John, where the apostle Peter is redeemed from his shame and given a call to live out his love of Jesus through tending to the work of the community of faith. In spite of encountering Jesus twice before, Peter is discovered with other disciples fishing at the Sea of Galilee rather than going where Jesus sends him. Jesus knows Peter needs to experience reconciliation, even though Jesus already has forgiven him. Shame keeps us from doing what we are called to do because we do not find ourselves trustworthy. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to forgive himself and to see the restoration to do what you do when you truly love Jesus: not deny, hide, or cover, but admit, reveal, and display. Are you hiding from Jesus and his purpose for your life? An honest assessment followed by a renewed commitment to service is the best path out of shame.

Pastor Jason Butterick shares the first of a series of emotions and feelings we feel when we are stuck: regret. Originally associated with feelings of remorse for plague victims of Europe in the 16th century, regret is a negative emotion that occurs when a person believes his or her past actions or behaviors if changed, may have achieved a better outcome. Our regrets often become locked doors from the inside. As the disciples were both afraid, angry, and ashamed, they locked the door to escape probable punishment from the Jewish mobs who had just succeeded in Jesus' death. Now Jesus enters the room, not to dwell on their past mistakes, but to grant what is needed for the future: forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not confined by our past. Jesus draws us into the future.

Pastor Jason Butterick shares the confusing encounters with the resurrected Christ on the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath, and the eighth (and continuous) day. Something has changed. The tomb is discovered empty, but it leads to confusion rather than confirmation. It is only as different people encountered the resurrected Christ that they understand what he meant. One of the few consistencies in the Gospels is the encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. She is always part of the group of women who went early to the tomb to prepare the body. But she does not recognize Jesus until she hears him call her name. How often do we not recognize Christ until he calls us? And what will we do with that call? It will change everything.

Rev. Jason Butterick shares lessons from the final week of Jesus' earthly life, from the clamor of Palm Sunday through the apparent end of Good Friday. We know the lines, the scenes, and even the rest of the story. But God's plans are still handled with human action. The prophet Zechariah spoke of a king coming to Jerusalem on a beast of burden rather than a triumphant warhorse. The disciples are called to bring the selected animal to Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy from word into deed. God's future is in our reach if we are willing to hear, obey, and heed it. Are we willing to look and gather a future that is known, but yet far from certain? We can look with anxiety and despair, or with hope and expectation. The choice is ours, and what we choose will be the pathway traveled. Our destiny as followers of Jesus will be created by our actions both now and in the future. Whereinto the future are we willing to go?

Rev. Jason Butterick shares how we listen and look determines where we are going. Wherever our focus is, that is the direction we are heading. Our memories remind us of where we have been, who we are, our purpose, and whom we love. When we forget, we will drive towards whatever we see. If we see ourselves as "nones," those who claim a spiritual life but do not want to be part of an organized community, we will go there. If we see ourselves as "dones," those who have done enough things for the church, held all the offices, duties, and responsibilities we want, and now want to have faith without duties or responsibilities, we will go there. Then there are the "umms," those who still desire to follow Jesus' example and to be a part of a community of fellow believers, but have yet to reconnect. As we discovered, everything in life is temporary except the salvation and deliverance of God. Will we listen and see it?

Pastor Jason Butterick shares how our failure to see God among us comes from our failure to share the love with others. We may still see, but our vision is clouded. Only through loving actions, shared between believers will others know and understand the depths of GOd's love and the forgiveness offered to all who will believe and accept it. No one has ever seen God, the writer of 1 John states. But they can catch God's vision when revealed through tangible acts of love among faithful followers of Christ, who lived, died, and rose to reveal God's character and heart.